How to Reset a 120-Day Terminal Server Timeout

By Dave Wilson

Microsoft Windows Server computers feature a remote desktop service called Terminal Services that enables remote client computers to access and run applications on the server as if the applications were local to the client computer. The Terminal Services model enables system administrators to centrally manage client-side applications, saving the time and expense required to individually maintain applications on a large number of workstations throughout the network. Deciding whether or not to deploy Terminal Services is a decision that should not be taken lightly, so testing the service may take longer than the 120-day evaluation period included with it. Luckily, you can extend the 120-day evaluation period.

User name and password of an Administrator account on the Windows Server 2008 computer

Step 1

Restart the Windows Server 2008 computer, and log in to a Windows Server 2008 computer Administrator account. Click "Start," and select the "Search" box. Enter "%WINDIR%\system32\lserver" in the "Search" box, and press "Enter." The "Lserver" window will appear.

Step 2

Right-click on the "TSLIC.edb" file, and click "Rename" in the menu that appears. Enter "tslic.prior" in the name box, press "Enter" and then reboot the computer.

Step 3

Boot a Windows client computer that has been used to connect to the Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services computer, and log in using an Administrator account. Click "Start," select "Run" or Search," enter "regedit" and press "Enter."

Step 4

Select the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" folder in the "Registry Editor" window that appears, and then navigate to the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSLicensing" folder.

Step 5

Find the "CAL TS" keys located in the right pane. Right-click on each "CAL TS" key, and select "Delete" in the drop-down menu. Click the red "X" in the upper right corner of the "Registry Editor" window to close the "Registry Editor." Restart the Windows client computer.